Canada's Winter Tourism Season Opens with 6% Revenue Growth Forecast and Major Ski Resort Investments

Canada is heading into the 2026–27 winter season with considerable momentum. Destination Canada forecasts approximately 6% growth in total Canadian tourism revenue throughout 2026—a projection that covers the entire industry rather than winter tourism alone—reaching an estimated C$140.9 billion. Ski holidays and mountain resorts nevertheless form an important part of that broader national strategy.

Alberta and British Columbia are leading Canada's winter push. Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise are targeting 6 November for their openings, while Whistler Blackcomb plans to begin operations on 20 November 2026, introducing a new Showcase Chair at Blackcomb to improve access to high-altitude terrain. Sun Peaks Resort is continuing a six-year snowmaking improvement programme valued at approximately C$5.5 million. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism is running campaigns aimed at domestic travellers and visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France and Mexico, with a strong focus on encouraging longer overnight stays between November and April.

In the United States, Alterra Mountain Company is committing more than US$350 million across its North American properties, with major upgrades at Winter Park in Colorado, Deer Valley in Utah and Solitude Mountain Resort. Separately, Aspen Mountain is adding a new high-speed quad chairlift, Snowmass is undergoing a US$42 million transformation of its Ullrhof dining facility, and Keystone is opening the 107-room Kindred Resort. Utah's Sundance is expanding by more than 105 acres of ski terrain alongside a new 63-room luxury inn.

Together, both countries are extending ski seasons through improved snowmaking, new lifts and expanded accommodation to grow visitor spending across their mountain communities.